Dine — 10 Places to Eat Healthy

Dine for Your Body and Mind

By Pam Bieri

A dish from Palm Greens Café.

Palm Greens Café

Omnivores, vegetarians and vegans, rejoice: Dining out is now easier than ever with a growing number of Coachella Valley restaurants taking the organic and sustainably farmed trend seriously by crafting flavor-forward cuisines built around these concepts. We offer a selection of trend-setting and culturally diverse locations whose dishes will appeal to any palate.

Native Foods Café

In 1994, Tanya Petrovna opened the first Native Foods Café in Palm Springs and began educating the public on the virtues of vegetarian dining. Since then, Native Foods Café has become an acclaimed fast-casual vegan restaurant group. The eatery serves a number of delectable items, including its Super Italian Meatball Sub consisting of Native Sausage seitan meatballs in marinara sauce with caramelized onions, roasted sweet peppers, pumpkin seed pesto, ranch dressing and Native Parmesan on a grilled baguette.

Palm Greens Café

Palm Greens Café owners Greg Schmitz and Jeff Huyott infuse the cuisine and vegan options at their Palm Springs eatery with a shared passion for food that is tasty, creative, and pesticide and herbicide-free.

“Organic is more expensive, but worth it for two reasons,” says Schmitz. “It has a higher nutrient value, and — most importantly — when grown organic, petroleum-based pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers will not get into the water source.”

Sample the Southwest gazpacho with avocado and a fermented chili lime hash or the falafel and hummus wrap, served with mixed greens and choice of dipping sauce. Another favorite is the Suzanne Somers smoothie, which is a blend of spinach, kale, mint, banana, apple juice and spirulina.

India Oven

A sampling of India’s aromatic Punjab regional cuisine is only part of the adventure at India Oven in Cathedral City. Scents of curry, fragrant tandoori chicken, and many vegetarian choices waft from the kitchen.

Monsoon

Monsoon Indian Cuisine billows with delicious fragrance. Chef/owner Mohinder Sall serves up authentic creations originating from his native Punjab region in the North, as well as dishes from Southern and Central India.

There are nearly a dozen vegetarian dishes at Monsoon, including Navratan Korma — a combination of nine vegetables and fruit cooked in a light onion, cashew and almond sauce. In addition, tandoori chicken in ginger, garlic and yogurt with luscious spices or fish tikka marinated in an aromatic house sauce are delicious alternatives.

The Tropicale Restaurant and Coral Seas Lounge

The Tropicale’s innovative world menu brings locally grown organic and sustainably raised produce and meats to the forefront of the Palm Springs dining experience. Flavors ranging from Morocco, Korea, Vietnam, Mandarin China, Cuba and Japan to fecund American regions like Maryland, Hawaii, and California’s coastal regions find their place here.

Chef and co-owner Tony Di Lembo is adamant about the use of fresh, organic and locally sourced products.

“All of our meats are grass-fed; poultry, free-range fish are sustainably line-caught, and our lettuces, tomatoes, berries, and produce are all organic,” Di Lembo says. “Even most of our wines are produced sustainably. This shift has come about because we are all eating this way ourselves. Prime grass-fed beef is healthier and just tastes better.”

One Thursday a month, a showcase of select growers features an array of vegetables, fruits, herbs and other items harvested or produced locally. Deaver will prepare a specialized menu using these products, complete with wine pairings for small parties at the Rancho Mirage location.

The Café at Shields

The Café at Shields Date Garden in Indio emphasizes fresh, healthful food featuring both American and Mexican dishes, with some twists on old favorites.

Breads and salad dressings are made from scratch on the premises. Fresh dates are featured in several dishes such as Shields Signature Salad — spinach topped with Deglet Noor dates, dried cranberries, walnuts, pears, crumbled blue cheese and house-made mango vinaigrette.

Gluten-free, lactose-free and sugar-free alternatives are also available for guests with food sensitivities.

Cheeky’s

One of downtown Palm Spring’s trendiest restaurants, Cheeky’s, serves seasonal, locally grown and — whenever possible — organic food in a weekly menu that reflects what is freshest in the markets. Cheeky’s philosophy is that “food shouldn’t come ready-made,” so all of their sauces, dressings and batters are made in-house.

For breakfast, enjoy the sumptuous brioche French toast Suzette with orange sauce and orange cream cheese or dive into the tofu scramble prepared with spinach, piquillo peppers, zucchini, and kale for a satisfying lunch.

Nature’s Health Food & Café

For more than 20 years, Nature’s Health Food & Café has offered organic groceries, produce, supplements, holistic remedies, and a lively café featuring a wide selection of vegetarian and vegan soups, salads, and sandwiches.

A few of the favorites at the café are the garlic, ginger “unchicken” (made with soy) stir-fry; the taro root burgers stuffed with three cheeses; and the Italian “sausage” made from grains, vegetables, and spices.

Legacy Thai Cusine

Dishes with an emphasis on strong, aromatic components are the essence of Legacy Thai Cuisine in La Quinta. Thailand-born Chef/Owner Chai Butrlakorn balances spicy heat with sweet, sour, and salty tastes for an intriguing, authentic experience.

Classic dishes may be ordered vegetarian-style with tofu. Curry dishes come with jasmine or brown rice and range from mild to spicy. The Tom Yum broth is a standout, served with noodles, tomatoes, lemongrass, and lime leaves.

If you are still looking for a place to usher in 2015, whether it's simply a nice meal out or a complete package of food, drinks and entertainment, check out these options in the Greater Palm Springs area.